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Songwriter and musician Larry Butler, who produced several of Kenny Rogers' biggest hits, died Friday (Jan. 20) of natural causes at his home in Pensacola, Fla., at age 69.

A Pensacola native, Butler began playing piano at age 4 and performed in a band in Florida before moving to Memphis to become a member of the Gentrys, who scored a Top 10 pop hit in 1965 with "Keep on Dancin'." In Nashville, Butler was a top session musician, playing piano on hits such as Conway Twitty's "Hello Darlin'" and Bobby Goldsboro's "Honey." He produced records for Capitol and CBS before being named head of United Artists Records' Nashville division in 1973. At United Artists, he signed Dottie West and Crystal Gayle to the label and played a major role in launching Kenny Rogers' solo career by producing hits such as "Lucille," "She Believes in Me," "The Gambler," "Love or Something Like It," "You Decorated My Life" and "Coward of the County." He and co-writer Chips Moman won a Grammy in 1975 for best country song for "(Hey Won't You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song," a major hit for B.J. Thomas. Butler won another Grammy in 1979 for overall producer of the year in the nonclassical division. After leaving United Artists, he formed an independent production company and worked with acts such as Charlie Rich, Mac Davis, Don McLean and John Denver. In recent years, Butler continued his work as a producer in Pensacola.

Larry Nutter, guitarist has passed away at the age of 63. He had been having health issues the best couple of years. He was born Feb. 9, 1948, a small town guitarist that has always had big dreams. Larry was one of the great musicians in our music industry and was a friend for many, many years.

Originally from Ohio, he spent most of his life in Nashville, TN. He has been playing guitar since he was 19 years old, simply by making his own letter charts. He never learned to fully readmusic. He plays by ear. He has had a very successful career, spending years as the guitarist for Kitty Wells, as well as Jack Greene, Jean Shepard, and others. He has also dedicated several years of his life re-making the music of Patsy Cline along with his wife of 11 years, Terri Williams.He was residing in Branson, MO with his wife and daughter, both of whom are involved heavily in his music.

I have been unable to find funeral arrangements for both Larry Butler and Larry Nutter at this time.

Please keep the families of Larry Butler and Larry Nutter in your thoughts and prayers as their families suffer through the sad time of their loss.

MAY THEIR SOULS REST IN THE BLESSED AND LOVING ARMS OF OUR LORD AS THEY ENTER INTO THE HEAVENLY KINGDOM WHERE THEY WILL REST IN PEACE.